Byhaugen walk

Description

Begin this walk from the car park near Gustav Vigelands vei. Wander over Stokkaeidet and enjoy the wonderful landscape up Sabbadalen where you follow a path through a mystical forest to a “secret” viewpoint. Tread carefully here and look out for newts. The small amphibian is an endangered species and should be left alone in the Vølstadveien pond.

Myrveien takes you over the E39 main road and the walk continues through green clearings towards Byhaugen. You pass close to the Knutmannssteinen monument which lies between the Stokka, Tasta and Eiganes farms and clamber over the old stone walls around Byhaugen café. The café building was built by a one John Johnsen in the 1840s. Known locally as “Dåsa-John”, he also made tobacco tins from brass. There’s also a telescope here and under the right conditions, you can observe the wonders of the firmament.

Johnsen was not a particularly social sort, so he surrounded himself with strong stone walls that also functioned as windbreaks on the exposed hilltop. For several generations Stavanger’s residents have had Byhaugen as a stop-off point on their walks and enjoyed the view from the café. The farmhouse itself has a rich history and was saved from dereliction through significant local involvement.

Refreshed after a café break, you descend through the woods Dåsa-John planted and out onto Knut Baades vei with a painting-like view of Egenes allotment gardens. Maybe you have time to kick a football around at “Skrodå”, the football field that lies on an old landfill, before wandering through the town’s villa area.

Attractive urban green areas and mature trees line the route. Maybe not surprising then, that you are surrounded by streets named after well-known Norwegian artists. The walk concludes at lovely Hidle farm with its rich birdlife and rare bats above Litle Stokkavatn lake.

Accessibility

The route is not accessible with a stroller as it is rugged in several places.

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